Chiang mai: Heavy rain in Chiang Mai Province caused flash floods overnight, inundating several districts. This morning, water levels in Mae Rim District have receded, and damage assessments are underway. Meanwhile, in Mae Chaem District, floodwaters are inundating communities, with some areas nearly a meter deep. The Meteorological Department is warning that Typhoon Rakasa will bring heavy rain to Thailand until September 26.
According to Thai News Agency, villagers in Pong Yaeng Subdistrict, Mae Rim District, were hit hard by the heavy rains, which fell for an hour last night. This led to a flash flood that swept through the Mae Sa River, affecting several villages, particularly Huai Cho Village in Mae Rim Tai Subdistrict. The floodwaters reached nearly a meter high in some areas, causing significant disruption.
Rescue workers from Rim Tai Subdistrict Municipality acted quickly, using ropes to navigate through the strong currents and successfully rescuing an elderly woman trapped in her home. The operation was challenging due to the strong currents and took about 30 minutes to complete.
Mae Rim District Chief visited the affected areas to assist the villagers. The floodwaters from the Mae Sa River are expected to flow into the Ping River at Ban Mae Sa Mai. As of this morning, water levels have receded, but flooding persists in some low-lying areas.
Reporters on the scene noted that Ban Huai Jo, Village No. 6, in Rim Tai Subdistrict, was severely damaged. Sixty-three out of 68 homes were inundated, with significant damage to personal belongings. Despite warnings, many residents were unable to move essential items out of harm’s way in time.
Efforts are underway by the Rim Tai Subdistrict Municipality to aid affected residents. They have deployed personnel and water trucks to help clear mud and distribute meals, as many kitchens have been rendered unusable.
Villagers in Huai Cho shared that this was the first instance of flash flooding this year, although they experienced similar events five times last year. They have since learned to keep valuables out of reach of potential floodwaters.
The headman of Huai Cho Village reported that previous municipal efforts to dredge the Mae Sa River had been effective in preventing flooding until this recent heavy rainfall overwhelmed the efforts.
In Phichit Province, heavy rains have also caused flooding in the main economic zone. Roads have been submerged, prompting vendors to move their goods. Eight large water pumps have been deployed to manage the floodwaters and bolster embankments against potential overflow from the Nan River.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has warned that Typhoon Rakasa is expected to make landfall in Vietnam on September 25th, potentially bringing more rain to Thailand. Mariners in the upper Andaman Sea have been advised to exercise caution, and Thai Airways has canceled flights on the Bangkok-Hong Kong route due to the impending storm.